DEPEW, NY - On Tuesday, registered voters in Depew overwhelmingly voted not to dissolve the village.
1,165 voted to dissolve the village and 3,006 voted against it. A roar of applause broke out in the middle of the results announcement especially with a number of village employees from the police and public works departments and others in the village fire department..
The Village of Depew will not dissolve. Here's the moment the final tally was read. @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/nxNKM9fy2F
— J.T. Messinger (@JTMessinger) January 18, 2017
If a majority had voted yes, the village would have been dissolved half into the town of Cheektowaga and the other half into the Town of Lancaster. Those who pushed for dissolution felt it would help save taxes and reduce the village debt. But opponents felt it would adversely impact public safety and public works services if the towns took them over.
Voting took place Tuesday at the Depew Village Hall. Voting ended at 9 pm.
Village Mayor Jesse Nikonowicz says the turnout of over 4,000 voters indicates to him that people are supportive of their existing government. He says it should also discourage those who may wish in the future to launch another bid to dissolve the village.